India and UAE Strengthen Trade Ties with CEPA Review on Market Access and Data Sharing

India and the United Arab Emirates recently held important discussions to review progress under the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), their strategic trade and economic partnership that came into force in May 2022. Key issues on the agenda included market access, data sharing, gold import quota allocation, and cooperation on anti-dumping measures to secure fair trade.

The CEPA is designed to reduce or eliminate tariffs on most traded goods between the two countries, enhancing market access for goods and services. The agreement also promotes regulatory cooperation in sectors such as pharmaceuticals and food safety, making trade smoother and more transparent. Both India and the UAE emphasized the need for transparent data sharing mechanisms to deepen economic cooperation and support trade facilitation.

Bilateral trade between India and the UAE crossed an impressive USD 100 billion in 2024-25, representing nearly a 20% increase from the previous year. The two countries are targeting to boost non-oil trade further, aiming at USD 100 billion in non-oil trade by 2030. This ambitious goal reflects the growing importance of the UAE as a key trade and investment partner for India, as well as the role of CEPA in unlocking new economic opportunities.

Other discussions focused on improving the allocation system for the UAE’s gold tariff rate quota through fair competitive bidding and expanding collaboration on anti-dumping policies to protect mutual trade interests. In addition, subcommittee meetings on trade in services and the early signing of memoranda of understanding were proposed to strengthen ongoing partnership efforts.

The India-UAE CEPA is more than a trade pact; it represents a deepening of the strategic and economic relationship between the two nations, promoting sustainable growth, job creation, and enhanced connectivity across sectors. The partnership aims to build on evolving global trade dynamics by setting a model for comprehensive economic cooperation in the region.

This renewed dialogue underscores India and UAE’s commitment to enhancing trade ties by removing barriers and fostering cooperation on critical regulatory and market access issues under CEPA.